Eminent Space Scientist and Member, Planning Commission, Dr K. Kasturirangan is the new Indian Space Research Organization...

Eminent Space Scientist and Member, Planning Commission, Dr K. Kasturirangan is the new Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chair for satellite communication education in Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

This chair has been established in collaboration with the ISRO to promote excellence in Research, Applications and Satellite Communications for Education.

Visualizing that satellite communications will play a critical role in the growth of Open and Distance Learning system in the country, the thrust of the chair will be to define national level programmes that will be able to tap the potential of this technology and play a critical role in improving access as well as the quality of education at all levels.

Dr Kasturirangan steered India’s Space research programme as Chairman of the ISRO for nine years.

Under his able stewardship, the programme witnessed several major milestones including the successful launch and ope rationalization of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.

These efforts have catapulted India as a pre-eminent space faring nation among the six countries that have major space programmes.

Dr Kasturirangan is the recipient of a number of awards from the Government of India, including the Padma Vibhushan in 2000.

He has also been the Member of Rajya Sabha. In 2002, France honoured him with its highest civilian award, ‘Officer of the Legion d’ honneur’.

Satellite based communication plays an important role in distance education. It is particularly effective in reaching out to disperse populations spread over vast geographical dimensions.

With convergence of information and communication technologies , it can be used in a variety of ways for online and offline provision of learning resources.

Satellites can also be used for carrying a rich mix of multi-media materials and provide access to large databases at very low cost.